Brian Flores has been named the 2026 George Halas Award winner by the Pro Football Writers of America, becoming the first Vikings franchise member to receive the honor. The award recognizes overcoming adversity, a journey Flores’ career reflects—from being fir
Brian Flores didn’t just keep coaching after a brutal turn in his career—he kept pushing, even as the legal fight around him moved through the courts. Now, the Pro Football Writers of America has handed him the 2026 George Halas Award, naming the Vikings defensive coordinator the winner.
Flores is the 58th Halas Award winner and the first member of the Vikings franchise to receive the honor from the PFWA. The Halas Award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. It takes its name from George Halas. a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who was tied to the Chicago Bears and the NFL from the league’s beginning in 1920 until his death in 1983 as an owner. manager. player and promoter. Halas won 324 games and six NFL titles in 40 seasons as a coach.
The recognition arrives with a storyline the league has watched closely for years. After three seasons as the head coach of the Dolphins, Flores was fired after the 2021 season. He then filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and three teams, alleging racial discrimination. In the middle of that legal process. he was hired by Pittsburgh in 2022 as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach.
Flores has spent the last three seasons—2023 through 2025—as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. During the 2025 season, the Vikings defense ranked third in the NFL in total yards, allowing 282.6 yards per game.
The Halas Award field also included Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions and Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers as finalists for 2026.
The timeline around Flores’ lawsuit has been as defining as his sideline work. In February 2026, a U.S. District Court ruled that Flores’ lawsuit could be tried in open court rather than arbitration overseen by the NFL. On May 26, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal by the NFL, declining to review the lower court’s decision.
The Halas Award is one of the two oldest awards presented by the PFWA, along with the Bill Nunn Jr. Award. That companion honor is presented to a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage. Both awards were first given in 1969.
Brian Flores George Halas Award PFWA Vikings defensive coordinator Dolphins fired 2021 class-action lawsuit NFL arbitration U.S. Supreme Court May 26 2026 Aidan Hutchinson Christian McCaffrey
Good for him I guess. Halas award sounds like one of those “overcome adversity” deals but I still don’t get why it’s Vikings now.
Wait so he won an award but he’s still in court stuff? I mean the NFL denied an appeal right? So is this like them rewarding him for suing or what.
I swear I read somewhere they already gave him this award earlier. Also isn’t Halas like a Bears guy, so how is Vikings getting it? Feels kinda political honestly, like they’re trying to flip the narrative.
The article says he got fired after 2021 then worked for Pittsburgh in 2022 and then Minnesota after that but I’m confused… so was he a coordinator the whole time or just defensive assistant? Either way 3rd in yards allowed is wild. Also the Supreme Court denied the NFL appeal on May 26—does that mean they automatically win the discrimination case or nope? because my cousin said yes but I’m not sure.